Women boost forest and rangeland conservation in Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek – Amid the mountain slopes and open plains of Kyrgyzstan’s Toguz-Toro district, one woman is transforming lives.

Gulbakhira Botokanova is a mother of five, preschool educator, community activist, and former local council deputy whose proactive approach to well-being has spurred community development. Among her many accomplishments, she has secured support from local entrepreneurs, organized free wellness treatments for women in her village, and masterminded the district’s annual women's volleyball tournament.

Because of her active civic engagement and extensive experience, Gulbakhira was elected as Chairperson of the Community Landscape Management Group (CLMG) in the rural district of Atai.

Six such community groups have been established to promote initiatives for the conservation and sustainable use of forests and pastures – critical natural resources for Kyrgyzstan. The groups’ work is part of a high-impact, fifty-million dollar project, called “Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investment in Forests and Rangelands in Kyrgyz Republic (CS-FOR),” implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Kyrgyzstan, with the financial support of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Community Landscape Management Groups serve as advisory and consultative voluntary bodies composed of representatives from local self-government bodies, forestry enterprises, local communities, and the private sector. Their mission is to foster collaboration between local government, forestry services, and communities to ensure the effective management of pastures and forests in the face of climate change.

Gulbakhira is one of the community members who has taken an active role in discussions around the CS-FOR project from the outset, putting forward innovative ideas and attending training sessions that helped culminate into a comprehensive plan for the project’s success.

Promoting women’s financial independence

One of Gulbakhira’s key achievements in the CS-FOR project has been the promotion of women-led initiatives. Thanks to her efforts, the Integrated natural resource management and climate resilience Plan for Atai rural district now includes projects led by women, such as fruit cultivation and the establishment of mini workshops for dairy product processing.

These initiatives not only contribute to the conservation of forests and pastures, but also drive local economic development, enhancing women's livelihoods and ensuring their financial independence.

"I believe that women should play an active role in society. That is why participating in the CS-FOR project is not just an opportunity to talk about challenges, but also to contribute to solving them," said Gulbakhira Botokanova.

Community groups preserve and enhance natural resources

Working in collaboration with FAO, the Community Development and Investment Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic (ARIS) has been instrumental in establishing Community Landscape Management Groups in four target districts: Toguz-Toro, Ak-Talaa, Suzak, and Uzgen.

A total of 27 such groups will be formed. Their work plays a crucial role in achieving the project's objectives, including forest and pasture conservation, carbon sequestration, ecosystem protection, and resilience to climate change.

Gulbakhira’s leadership in these community group activities has demonstrated the importance of women's participation in sustainable development. Her efforts are hallmarks of the critical role women play in conserving natural resources, and ensuring a sustainable, climate-resilient future for generations to come.

"If we want change, we, as women, must be part of it. Every step we take is a step toward the future, toward preserving and enhancing our natural resources," emphasized Gulbakhira Botokanova.

As an activist, leader, and devoted mother, Gulbakhira embodies the power of grassroots initiatives. Her involvement in the FAO-led GCF project is a vivid example of how one person can become a catalyst for transformation. Her story proves that sustainable development is not just about strategies and plans – it is about people whose actions shape the future.

See the story here: https://www.fao.org/countryprofiles/news-archive/detail-news/en/c/1734576/